boom i'm sawed off

It’s so true. After having logged like 15+ hours spread out across arcade mode, mission mode, versus mode, countless player matches with my friends, and even a few ranked matches (on special occasions when I was lucky enough to get into them), I feel like I can say that Marvel vs Capcom 3 is pretty much perfect to me.

Yes, it may also be true that there really isn’t a spectator mode or ways to edit match settings for custom lobbies (WTF Capcom, that shit was all in SSIV), but those are both known issues that are likely to be patched in the near future (and so is the ranked match connectivity issue).  Honestly, I hope Capcom addresses this before they attempt to rebalance the game, because I haven’t come across anyone who has used a character or strategy that is overly cheap or game-breaking. 

I’ve fought an army of Sentinels already, and you know what?  I’m not even angry.  I’m being so sincere right now.  If MVC3 has balance issues, I haven’t encountered any yet.

Granted, there are characters who seem to excel when used with “questionable” tactics (Zero’s duplication special + projectile spamming, for example), but if you manage to land a few light punches on your opponent, it’s really easy to wreak havoc with this new launcher button Capcom has included.  Dropping from six punch+kick buttons to three punch/kick buttons and a launch button has made the game so much more accessible for novices everywhere, myself included. 

Just last night I chained together Viewtiful Joe’s mach speed special into an air combo including a crossover to Spider-Man’s web swing and culminating with another crossover to MODOK’s hyper psionic blast.  The audience was literally in awe, and I’m pretty sure I actually heard a few gasps escape from behind me as I reduced my opponent’s health by nearly 3/5ths with a single combo.  I’ve never been particularly good at fighting games, but MVC3 makes me feel like a total BAMF.

The roster for MVC3 is definitely the most debatable part of the game.  From trolling forums and hearing talk at the tournament I attended last night, it seems that most characters—both returning and new—have been well-received.  However, some of the more eccentric inclusions like Trish, She-Hulk and MODOK have definitely been the topics of many a flame war.  For example:

Dude to me last night: “Why the fuck is Dormammu in this game?  They should have just put Ghost Rider in there, finally.” Me to dude: “Oh, uh, well, they couldn’t really figure out how to animate his flaming head in 3D.” /trollface.

And also:

Different dude to me last night: “Fucking Haggar, just bring back Zangief, am I right?  What fucking Street Fighter is he even from, anyway?” Me to different dude: “Uh, it’s…it’s Third Strike, I’m pretty sure.” /trollfacex2

To be fair, I think that different dude was kidding, but it still proves that this is bound to happen in any fighting game sequel.  There will always be select groups of players who end up disappointed because their obscure niche characters of choice don’t make their triumphant returns.  I can imagine that it stings that much more this time around because of the fervent anticipation that surrounded Marvel vs Capcom 3, but alas, all hope is not lost.  I was almost one of those players, until I found out Shuma Gorath was going to be included in the first pairing of what I’m hoping will be many batches of DLC.  I’m a huge fan of the stock roster for MVC3, and after seeing some of the quirky inclusions they’ve made I’m definitely holding out for Spark Mandrill / Morph DLC. 

 If you haven’t already bought Marvel vs Capcom 3 and you’ve ever enjoyed any 2D fighter ever, you owe it to yourself to pick it up ASAP.  You’ll be taking curleh mustached mother fuckers for a ride in no time at all.